To be told to put in £20 to cover presents for team leads

[Hettiejane]

So I work in a large team, I've been emailed along with the rest of my team by one of my colleagues to put in £20 each to cover a gift for our 2 seniors, their manager and and the reception staff.
We've had our office night out with no money paid towards it and no gifts from senior management. The seniors and their manager are on significant more money than the rest of us and tbh I've had some issues with one of the receptionists being quite rude to me.
AIBU to think its a bit much to ask for? There's about 15 or so in the team.

Never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life! Completely common practice for managers to send gifts down the chain. The management team i am in have put a chunk of money to subsidise the Xmas dinners of those on lower grades. This has been decided because some staff dont drink so buying the usual round at the dinner isnt equal.

Why on earth havent these managers made clear this shouldn't be happening.

‘Thanks for organising this! Given the cost of living issues these days, would people consider redirecting this to the cleaning/maintenance staff? As there are no staff gifts this year, and we self-funded the Christmas night out, I worry it might look like we’re trying to embarrass senior staff with these gifts. The cleaning crew are so undervalued, I think this could be much appreciated. Would love to hear your thoughts!’

This is great, I wish i could send this round anonymously

Put your name on it! No one can argue with it

I would imagine that if you speak up against this potty idea, others will agree with you.

Grow a pair or borrow mine. Buy gifts for the cleaners, present them in full view then tell the collector you’ve acted on your decision and won’t discuss it further.

I wouldn’t pay at all! My husband is public sector senior management - he pays (personally) for at least one round of drinks at the party (that isn’t funded by the employer)- he’d be mortified if anyone felt they had to contribute for a gift for him!

Your workplace sounds very feudal.

No way would I be happy about this and shame on the senior higher paid management for not putting a stop to it.

I used to work in a large supermarket & our then bosses had frequent overseas holidays & a few local ones too like spa/yoga retreats.

They worked hard & I didnt begrudge them the time away - but each Christmas time I worked there the staff were encouraged to chip in for gifts for them & other senior level managers.
And again earlier this year when the bosses decided to sell up & move on.

No, a big FAT No!!

Our pay scales were entirely/vastly different & while they also had a much higher responsibility to the workplace than I did it still didnt justify sharing some of my minimum wage pay packet with them.

I'd have a problem with this, too @Hettiejane

YANBU. There are two issues here:

First someone just taking it upon themselves to organise this and “directing” everyone to pay a particular amount.

Second, even if people generally were in agreement with getting a gift, the actual amount being requested is too much, not just because some people might not be able to afford it, but when you consider what the total is if everyone did put that in, you’d end up with way more than really necessary.

I’ve come across this twice recently, once at work and once at a club that I’m part of. It’s just so awkward to have to say something after someone has sent out the email organising it but really, why should you feel awkward? It is the organiser who has behaved inappropriately.

Presents go downwards not upwards.

I would refuse but do it publicly because other people may feel the same as you

Reply all, “Hi, I’m sorry money is tight so I am unable to contribute”

I guarantee others will follow suit.

I’d be mortified if my team were told to contribute towards a gift for me.

That’s so not on. The person organising needs to understand that harassing staff to give money in this way is totally inappropriate.

Is there an HR person you can talk to about this ? Or let me guess, HR is the person doing the organising ?

do you feel able to stand firm. And then take the instigator and/or collector aside and say that 20 quid can be a lot of money, and people may not feel comfortable giving 2 days worth of meals for a family for a present for someone.

sending good vibes. I have been that person to say "no" and it is VERY uncomfortable.

I'd tell that organiser to their face to FUCK right off and that you werent paying.

No need to give a reason.

The organiser/s are cunts.

Do not engage and ignore.

I would also be saying no! In my humble opinion, management are usually overworked and underpaid in comparison to the rest of us mere mortals 😠(I have had a run-in with management this week, so am still angry).

Mind you, I'm only signing my manager's leaving card (if ever he goes...) if I can write 'So long, motherf***' in it (in his language, just to make a point).

Put your name on it! It's a great message.

Tell them you can’t afford to contribute.

Id file that email in the recycle bin and proceed with my day

Absolutely. In my long and varied career, I have never worked in a place where we were expected to give to people up the chain.

Absolutely this, it flows in a way you are giving thanks for service. Unless they went way above and beyond for all of you or paid out their own pockets for the Christmas Do then no, they don’t need (deserve?) anything from their staff

I think I'd leave the F word out but absolutely the rest and ask if they would like it in an email as well! Do it in full view of everyone so you are not singled out. Wish I was there to do it for you